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MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 27, 2022 City of Watsonville
City Council Chambers
5:30 p.m.
1. CLOSED SESSION CORRESPONDENCE (IF ANY)
2. CLOSED SESSION
(a) Public Comments regarding the Closed Session agenda were accepted by the City Council at that time.
(b) Closed Session Announcement:
The City Council recessed the regular City Council Meeting to discuss the matters that follow:
2.a. PERSONNEL MATTERS
(Government Code Section 54957)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Clerk
2.b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency negotiator: Mayor Parker, Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino and Council Member Quiroz-Carter
Employee organization: City Clerk
2.c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Government Code Section 54956.9(a))
Pending Litigation pursuant to subdivision (d)(1):
Name of case: Ford Kanzler, et al vs City of Watsonville, et al - Santa Cruz Superior Court (Case No. 20CV01057)
6:51 P.M.
3. ROLL CALL
Mayor Parker, Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino and Council Members Dutra, Estrada, García, Hurst (arrived at 6:53 p.m.), and Quiroz-Carter were present.
Staff members present were City Manager Mendez, City Attorney Zutler, City Clerk Ortiz, Assistant City Manager Vides, Public Works & Utilities Director Di Renzo, Police Chief Zamora, Fire Chief Lopez, Interim Administrative Services Director Duran, Community Development Director Merriam, IT Director Gill, Parks & Community Services Director DocuSign Envelope ID: 2BC81814-2D97-4B4D-A799-4CA30D7FB453 166
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Calubaquib, Library Director Martinez, Deputy City Manager Manning, Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Rodriguez, Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Fontes, Principal Planner Meek, Deputy City Clerk Pacheco, and Interpreter Jauregui.
3.a. MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBER(S) (If any)
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. INFORMATION ITEMS
5.a. REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
5.b. WRITTEN REPORTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS REGARDING ACTIONS TAKEN ON THEIR
REGIONAL COMMISSIONS/BOARD MEETINGS THAT MAY AFFECT THE CITY OF
WATSONVILLE (IF ANY)
6. PRESENTATIONS & ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
6.a. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Dan Hernandez thanked Member Hurst for his attendance at the Peace and Unity March. He expressed concern over Police’s response to a recent incident.
Steve Trujillo, District 7, expressed concerns with the spread of fentanyl laced pills throughout various California cities and especially to children. He requested Mayor Parker and Member Dutra advocate for Narcan to be available in all local schools. He asked Council to adopt a resolution supporting Proposition 31, which would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products across the State if approved.
Providence Martinez Alaniz, District 3, spoke about the recent death of a pedestrian due to a car accident and her family members’ traffic safety concerns. She requested Council explore options to implement additional safety measures for pedestrians.
Antonio Rivas, District 3, thanked Mayor Parker and Member Hurst for their letter of support for the Live Oak Senior Center, and requested a support letter from the entire Council. He spoke about the importance of the Senior Center. He expressed concern over the budget reduction for a program that assists senior citizens and requested Council write a letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors requesting alternative funding sources be explored.
Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Fontes spoke about ongoing Caltrans projects and invited Council and the public to attend a meeting where additional information would be given.
Fabian Leonor, District 4, spoke in support of allowing CEIBA College Preparatory Academy (CEIBA) to remain in its current location and ways in which neighbors’ concerns with the school were being addressed. He requested sidewalk maintenance throughout the City.
Maura Leonor, District 4, spoke in support of CEIBA and the positive impact of their education plans on students. She stated the importance of safe streets and requested improvements in specific areas around the City.
Marta Bulaich expressed concerns with a letter sent out by the City inviting the public to a meeting regarding CEIBA’s rezoning request. She submitted a letter to Council summarizing the concerns.
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6.b. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL
Member García spoke about her attendance to the Fandango en la Plaza event, the traditional dances were performed, a documentary on the subject that was played, and thanked event sponsors. She stated she met with Watsonville Community Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Steven Salyer and invited the public to an event celebrating its recent return to public ownership.
Member Estrada expressed concerns with pedestrian safety and spoke about steps the City had taken in recent years to address the issue. He spoke about the importance of driver and pedestrian awareness and gave condolences to all victims of traffic collisions.
Member Quiroz-Carter spoke about the importance of working towards safety for all residents and thanked staff for their efforts to address concerns. She encouraged the public to share their concerns with Council and spoke about her attendance at the Santa Cruz County Fair.
Member Hurst thanked Antonio Rivas for advocating for the senior community and asked Council to write a letter of support for the Live Oak Senior Center. He spoke about his attendance to recent events and thanked City staff that assisted with the Peace and Unity March.
Member Dutra expressed condolences on the recent passing of a community member due to a traffic collision, stated the City was continuously working on improving street safety. He spoke about his attendance to a dinner with Portugal’s President, the upcoming visit of a delegation from the Sister City of Velas, São Jorge Island, Azore Islands, Portugal, and the importance of the recently inaugurated Covid-19 memorial.
Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino requested staff explore options to improve traffic safety along Green Valley Road. He expressed condolences for the family of the resident that recently passed. He thanked all who collaborated in organizing the Santa Cruz County Fair.
Mayor Parker expressed condolences for the passing of the resident involved in a collision with a vehicle. She thanked Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Rodriguez and Traffic Operations Manager Gonzalez for their efforts to improve street safety and spoke about the importance of collaboration from all parties. She spoke about the events planned for the visit of the Sister City delegation.
6.c. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Zutler stated Council received reports on all items and took no reportable action.
6.d. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2022 AS CYBERSECURITY
AWARENESS MONTH
6.e. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 15 TO OCTOBER 15 AS
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
7. CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC INPUT – None
MOTION: It was moved by Member Hurst, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino to approve the Consent Agenda.
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In answering Member Dutra, Community Development Director Merriam spoke about the fund appropriation request for Item 7.f, and distribution and potential uses for the Cannabis Revenue Fund.
Member Dutra spoke in support of Item 7.h.
In answering Member García, Library Director Martinez explained the function of the collection service used for overdue and damaged items.
Library Director Martinez, in answering Mayor Parker, spoke about the cost of using the collection service and stated the need for its services had diminished in recent years.
Member García stated her reason for resigning from the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners of the County OF Santa Cruz and expressed support for Providence Martinez’s appointment under Item 7.h.
Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino spoke in support of Item 7.e.
Member Hurst spoke in support of Items 7.c., 7.d., 7.f., 7.h., and 7.i.
MOTION: The above motion carried by the following vote.
AYES: MEMBERS: Dutra, Estrada, García, Hurst, Montesino, Quiroz-Carter, Parker NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
7.a. MOTION APPROVING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
7.b. RESOLUTION NO. 197-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS & CALLING FOR BIDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF WATER SUPPLY PRODUCTS, PROJECT NO. WA-22-01, ESTIMATED COST OF $500,000 FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS BUDGETED IN THE WATER ENTERPRISE FUND & ADOPTED IN THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023
7.c. RESOLUTION NO. 198-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH CAROLLO ENGINEERS, INC., TO PERFORM HEADWORKS & INFLUENT PUMP STATION IMPROVEMENTS EVALUATION, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $157,244
7.d. RESOLUTION NO. 199-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) JOHN DEERE 6130M
TRACTOR WITH A MOUNTED TIGER BENGAL BRUTE MOWER FOR THE FIELD
SERVICES DIVISION FROM MUNICIPAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT, THROUGH THE
PURCHASING AUTHORITY OF SOURCEWELL (FORMERLY NJPA), PURCHASE AGREEMENT NO. 070821-TGR, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $249,581.21; &
AUTHORZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (FUNDED BY THE SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND 0740
7.e. RESOLUTION NO. 200-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 170-04 (CM) & ELIMINATING THE
COLLECTION OF FEES FOR WATSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS THAT
ARE RETURNED LATE
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7.f. RESOLUTION NO. 201-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $42,752 FROM THE CANNABIS REVENUE FUND
TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO COVER EXISTING
CONTRACTS
7.g. RESOLUTION NO. 202-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION RE-ADOPTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE BY INCORPORATING
BY REFERENCE THE FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION'S STANDARD
MODEL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE AND BY AMENDING THE APPENDIX
IDENTIFYING DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES WHO SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE
7.h. RESOLUTION NO. 203-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION NOMINATING PROVIDENCE MARTINEZ ALANIZ FOR APPOINTMENT
TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF
SANTA CRUZ AS THE AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE, FOR A TERM ENDING FEBRUARY 10, 2023
7.i. RESOLUTION NO. 204-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING FABIAN GUZMAN TO THE HENRY J. MELLO
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
8. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – None
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES, & APPEALS
9.a. RESOLUTION APPROVING VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED POLICY 1) Staff Report by Principal Planner Meek and Community Development Director Merriam
2) City Council Clarifying & Technical Questions
In answering Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino, Principal Planner Meek spoke about the reasons a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis was not necessary on a project such as the commercial one on Main Street.
Principal Planner Meek, in answering Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino, spoke about potential for reducing parking for vehicles on future developments to encourage alternate modes of transportation.
In answering Member García, Principal Planner Meek stated traffic studies for future land use development projects would involve VMT and level of service analyses which would serve differing purposes.
Community Development Director Merriam, in answering Member Hurst, spoke about how VMT would be measured through the use of a computer based model created for the entire Santa Cruz County.
In answering Mayor Parker, Community Development Director Merriam and Principal Planner Meek provided additional details on how the VMT model would be used to measure miles traveled in particular high traffic areas.
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3) Public Comments – None
4) MOTION: It was moved by Member Hurst, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino and carried by the following vote to approve the resolution listed below.
AYES: MEMBERS: Dutra, Estrada, García, Hurst, Montesino, Quiroz-Carter, Parker NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
5) City Council Deliberation on Motion – None
6) RESOLUTION NO. 205-22 (CM)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED (VMT) POLICY
INCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHING VMT AS THE APPROPRIATE METRIC FOR
EVALUATING TRANSPORTATION-RELATED IMPACTS UNDER CEQA,
ESTABLISHING VMT THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE, ESTABLISHING
SCREENING CRITERIA, ESTABLISHING TRANSPORTATION DEMAND
MANAGEMENT (TDM) STRATEGIES, & ESTABLISHING A VMT MITIGATION BANKING PROGRAM; & AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR TO UPDATE THE VMT THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR LAND USE PROJECTS & PLANS; & FINDING APPROVAL OF A VMT POLICY IS NOT A “PROJECT” UNDER CEQA, OR A “PROJECT,” EXEMPT UNDER THE “COMMON SENSE” EXCEPTION
10. EMERGENCY ITEMS ADDED TO AGENDA
11. REQUESTS & SCHEDULING FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
__________________________ __
Ari Parker, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________ _________
Irwin I. Ortiz, City Clerk
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